"The Great Storm" is one of the most iconic and anticipated events in Hero Wars. This event combines elements of strategy, teamwork, and resource management, providing players with opportunities to earn unique rewards and test their heroes in a series of challenging battles.
The event's significance lies not only in its gameplay mechanics but also in the broader narrative and meta-game impacts it has on the Hero Wars community.
This event is only available if for players whose Team Level is 40 or higher!
Table of Contents
Overview of "The Great Storm" Event
"The Great Storm" is a limited-time event that revolves around players facing off against powerful storm creatures and bosses. The central theme of the event is a battle against a fierce storm that has unleashed a variety of enemies across the Dominion. Players must navigate through a series of storm-tossed islands, each guarded by different levels of enemies, ranging from common monsters to powerful bosses.
Key elements of "The Great Storm" include:
Event Duration: The event typically runs for three days, giving players a limited time frame to complete objectives and earn rewards.
Energy Management: Players use special energy called “Action Points” to move through the map and engage in battles. This energy is different from the regular in-game energy and can only be earned by doing special event tasks, requiring careful planning.
Battles and Bosses: Each island presents increasingly difficult challenges, with the final bosses being significantly tougher and requiring well-optimized hero teams.
Rewards: Completing battles, achieving milestones, and defeating bosses grant players valuable resources, including rare items, hero soul stones, and event-exclusive currency that can be exchanged for powerful artifacts.
Storm Resistance: A mechanic unique to this event, Storm Resistance is something that helps against the final boss. This must be built up over time, by defeating individual map locations on your way to the boss. While fighting the final boss, your team will take pure damage every second; this is only reduced by achieving a high enough Storm Resistance.
Event/Resource Gameplay Loop
"The Great Storm" introduces a distinct gameplay loop that differs from the usual campaign and arena battles in Hero Wars. Players must plan their route across a branching map filled with nodes that can contain battles, treasure, or other strategic elements.
Advancing on the event map requires "Action Points," which are earned by completing event tasks.
Event Tasks:
Log In - Reward: Action Points
Req VIP - Reward: Action Points
Buy Emeralds - Reward: Emeralds
Spend Emeralds - Reward: Action Points and Storm Coins
Capture Locations - Reward: Storm Coins
Spend Energy - Reward: Action Points and Storm Coins
Pet Summoning Eggs - Reward: Action Points and Storm Coins
Open Adventure Chests - Reward: Action Points
Total Possible Rewards:
59 Action Points
22,175 Emeralds
94,950 Storm Coins
What is the Best Route in The Great Storm?
There are 3 gameplay strategies for this event; each tactic is valid in its own right.
1. Go For the Final Boss, and all Mini-Chests
This strategy is for players who check all the boxes: 1)they have a well-built team, that's strong enough to defeat the final boss, and 2) they can afford to complete enough event tasks to collect enough action points to fully complete the event map.
2. Go For JUST the Final Boss
If you have a decent enough team to defeat the final boss, but not enough resources to accumulate enough Action Points to explore the entire map. The final boss chest is 3-5x the event currency of a mini-chest, so it may be a more efficient get than collecting all of the mini-chests without the final chest.
3. Go For JUST all of the Mini-Chests
If you don't have a team able to defeat the final boss, and you also don't have enough resources to explore the entire map, it may be worthwhile to just focus on collecting all of the mini-chests.
4. Do Nothing
At the end of the event, all resources will be exchanged for Storm Legacy Chests
1 Action Point = 1.6 Storm Legacy Chests
750 Storm Coins = 1 Storm Legacy Chest
Note: The resulting number of chests will be rounded up
What to Buy From the Great Storm Shop
There are 4 things you should consider using your Storm Coins for, in The Great Storm Shop
Storm Legacy Chests
This is the best purchase for most players. Newer players can get a ton of great resources in the form of Pet Eggs, Pet Potions, and Gold. More experienced players ONLY need Chaos Particles, and this is the only way to get them from this event.
Pet Soul Chests
If you're an experienced, or late-game player, these are arguably a better purchase than the Storm Legacy Chests. Pet Soul Chests allow you to pick 5 pet soul stones that you may need. This is one of the best ways to focus on a specific pet's Star Evolution Level. Personally, this is what I choose. I have all pets at 6 star, except for one or two.
Pet Gems
I do not recommend these items. You can get them naturally, for free, by doing pet adventures. And these gems still require you to charge them (with Chaos Particles).
Do Nothing
Not a very efficient option, but worth noting.
750 Storm Coins = 1 Storm Legacy Chest
Note: The resulting number of chests will be rounded up
Impact on the Game Meta and Community
"The Great Storm" event is not just a test of individual player skill; it also has broader implications for the Hero Wars meta-game and community dynamics.
Resource Inflation and Economy: The rewards from "The Great Storm" can significantly impact the in-game economy by introducing a large influx of resources. Players who perform well in the event can gain a substantial advantage, accelerating their hero progression compared to those who struggle.
Community Engagement: The event fosters a strong sense of community engagement. Players often share strategies, team compositions, and tips on social media and forums, creating a collaborative atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
Balancing Challenges and Accessibility: While the event is popular, it also highlights the challenges of balancing difficulty and accessibility. Newer players or those with underdeveloped hero teams may find it difficult to progress far in the event, leading to discussions about scaling rewards and providing more inclusive challenges.
Meta Shifts: The event often encourages players to experiment with different hero combinations, sometimes leading to shifts in the game’s broader meta. Heroes that perform well in "The Great Storm" might see increased usage in other areas of the game, such as arena battles or guild wars.
Conclusion
"The Great Storm" event in Hero Wars: Dominion Era is a quintessential example of how limited-time events can shape the player experience in online games. Its unique mechanics, strategic depth, and rewarding structure make it a highlight of the game’s event calendar. The challenges it presents test not only the strength of a player’s heroes but also their strategic thinking and adaptability. As a result, "The Great Storm" remains a beloved yet demanding event that continues to capture the attention of the Hero Wars community, fostering engagement, competition, and a shared sense of adventure.